12 things you'll know if you're spending Christmas abroad

1. Nothing compares to your mum's cooking. There have been legit conversations about having McDonald's on Christmas Day, and yes; I'm disappointed in myself.

2. And on that subject, nothing compares to M&S' Christmas food selection. Oh how I miss thee, mini party food and weird/great prosecco crisps.

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An M&S hamper would be great rn, thanks.

Marks & Spencer

3. Christmas is celebrated differently everywhere. And that is both exciting and thoroughly depressing. For example; going to the beach everyday = good. Lack of festive feeling = not so good.

4. Christmas lights aren't quite the same when it doesn't actually go dark until 9pm. Oh, and those crazy houses that go all-out with the decorations each year? Not so common away from England. Who'd have thought you'd miss giant inflatable Santas.

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5. Despite spending most of winter complaining about the U.K. weather, you actually miss it.

6. That moment when they play "I Wish it Could be Christmas Everyday" in a club and everyone sings? Yeah, doesn't happen anywhere else.

7. You now know that Christmas Day eating is nothing without the gift that is a Terry's Chocolate Orange. And the subsequent sick feeling.

8. Christmas TV in the UK is the best ever. Anyone else FaceTiming home for the sole purpose of watching the GBBO Christmas special?

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9. No-one else seems to get into the spirit of Christmas Day board games. That is, no-one aggressively plays Monopoly until the bitter end and then sits in angry silence for an hour afterwards.

10. Being in a country that's too hot to wear ugly Christmas jumpers is slightly depressing. I just want a knitted reindeer jumper, goddamnit!

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11.Your local town centre's crap Christmas decorations might have been disappointing last year, but now they seem quirky and cute.

12. Christmas cards have never been so cherished. A little piece of home is enough to make your Christmas much more jolly.